5 Common Flagpole Installation Mistakes

May 14, 20192 min read

With one of the most anticipated patriotic holiday in America fast approaching, you might want to upgrade your flagpole. A flag is only as strong as its base. Installing a flagpole properly takes effort and can be tricky. A strong and sturdy flagpole will help you fly your beautiful American flag with pride. It’s also vital for avoiding damage to the landscape and surrounding structures.

It’s important to know that it’s easier to set up the flagpole correctly in the first place than trying to fix the damages later! Here are a few common mistakes you should avoid to get it right the first time around.

Choosing the Wrong Location

Choosing the correct location is the first step you need to take to install a sturdy flagpole. If you install the flagpole too close to structures, power lines, or trees, it can be dangerous. It’s more likely to cause damage to these places especially if you live in an area that’s really windy. You need to consider the base of your flagpole as well to make sure it doesn’t get uprooted.

Finding the Right Pole

The strength of the pole is an important thing to consider before installing it. If you’re installing it in an open area it’s likely to face strong winds. A sturdy one-piece flagpole design is more suited to open and windy areas. Structures and trees around the area can partially block some wind. In that case, you can get a two-piece or telescope flagpole.

Wobbly Base

Just drilling a hole in the ground and setting the pole in it isn’t enough to keep it upright. You need to create a larger hole that’s deep as well as wide. After installing the pole, the hole needs to be filled with enough cement to make sure it’s set properly. This’ll help prevent the pole from toppling over or uprooting the base. An easy way to calculate the size of the base hole is to measure it at about four times the diameter of the flagpole itself.

Misplaced Parts

A flagpole doesn’t just come in one piece and often has additional parts, including an array of fastenings. Some models even have extension pieces for different extra features. All the parts of the pole need to be assembled before it’s set in the base hole. A missing piece will weaken the structure of the entire flagpole.

Damaged Structure

Before installing any flagpole, you need to conduct a proper inspection of all the parts as well as the basic pole structure. Any dents or cracks need to be addressed before you can set it up. Sometimes the collar or the rings of the fastenings get bent during transportation, which needs to be replaced for proper assembly. It’s also important to schedule the installation immediately after the pole arrives to prevent any damage while it’s lying around.

Federal Flags has been the premium supplier of top-quality and durable American flags for sale since 2002. Call us today for flags of all sizes, custom vinyl banners, residential flagpoles with internal and external halyards as well as various outdoor marketing supplies at affordable prices!

This is exactly the flag I was looking for in the past several years but could not find. It is well made and already has survived several strong storms here in Florida. It is flying under the American flag on my new flag pole.